We are in the midst of a frightening and deepening financial and economic crisis worldwide. The world is making huge adjustments to correct many flawed policies, processes and practices including the use of real estate equity to fuel a worldwide buying binge, highly leveraged global gambling casino-style betting on the success of highly risky credit in the name of Credit Default Swaps. The process is called “deleveraging” but really what this is the process of liquidating hard and soft assets to pay off what can be paid off in the face of never-before-seen lost bets on incredibly risky investments. As someone first said, “This too shall pass.” But what will the world look like? In this writing I will focus on marketing and the lessons we can learn.

During these crazy times, it is clearer than ever that those owning and operating businesses of all kinds and sizes must maintain their focus on their business. While grossly under-reported, business loans are still very obtainable as long as you have the same things you have always had to have to obtain a business loan from your community or area bank i.e. solid business plan, collateral, etc. In other words, capital is still available to entrepreneurs as long as you aren’t relying on smoke and mirrors.